Spring-flowering bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, crocus and others, must be planted in the fall because they require a sustained "dormant" period of cold temperatures to stimulate root development. In colder northern climates, plant in late September or October. In warmer climates you may need to plant bulbs in December or January after pre-chilling (see instructions in the ‘Conditions’ section!). Don't plant your bulbs too early! Never plant when daytime air temperatures are still between 70-80°F. Your bulbs start to rot if the soil is warm & wet. Wait until the soil temperature drops below 55°F and nighttime air temperatures are between 40-50°F. You have about 8 weeks to plant after the first frost, as long as the ground is not frozen. See our bulb map for planting times in your area.
Plant bulbs 3-5 inches deep (3 times the width of the bulb) and 3 inches apart in dense groupings for the most dramatic displays. If you have a squirrel problem or want to try to perennialize your tulips, plant them 6-8 inches deep.

Plant bulbs in well drained soil in a full sun/partial sun location in USDA Zones 3-7. In USDA Zones 8-10, where the soil temperatures remain warm throughout the winter, bulbs must be pre-chilled for 6-12 weeks in the refrigerator before planting! Place the bulbs in an open paper bag or an egg carton in one of the vegetable drawers (isolated from other fruit as the gas emitted by fruits’ ripening process can destroy bulbs). (NOTE: WE DO NOT GUARANTEE RESULTS IN ZONES 8-10).

Pest Prevention: Organic solutions to common problems.

Protect from gophers, moles and voles by planting in wire baskets or wire-bottomed raised beds. Fence or use a repellent to prevent deer damage. If you have a squirrel problem plant tulips 6-8 inches deep. Your bulbs start to rot if planted when the soil is warm & wet. WAIT until the soil temperature drops below 55°F and nighttime air temperatures are between 40-50°F.

Harvest: Is it ready yet? When to harvest and how to store your garden produce.

Our organic ‘botanical’ tulips are easy to grow and will naturalize if given lots of sun and good drainage. These don't multiply as fast as other tulips and come back year after year without digging them up. Our hybrid tulips will also perennialize, but not as reliably as the botanical tulips. To guarantee top quality flowers we advise purchasing new tulip bulbs each fall.
To naturalize, remove the spent flowers (‘dead head’) and try to keep the leaves green until late spring/early summer. Water the tulips twice a week when it is dry and the temperatures are above 75°F, until the leaves begin to brown. After the leaves die back in late spring you can choose to either dig up the bulbs and divide them or keep them in the ground during the summer (they actually like it warm and dry in the summer when they are dormant). We recommend digging them up at least once every three years to prevent overcrowding that reduces bloom and vigor.
To divide and multiply your bulbs, dig up your planting area and separate the big bulbs from the smaller baby bulbs. Store in a cool, dry, dark location until fall planting time, then pre-chill (if needed) and replant 3 inches apart.

Recipes & Uses: Great ideas for what to do with your bountiful harvest.